Tony Parker #9 of France celebrates after defeating Lithuania 82-74 during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Tony Parker #9 of France celebrates after defeating Lithuania 82-74 during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Lithuania's Rimantas Kaukenas reacts after a foul as France's Ronny Turiaf, left, walks up court during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Lithuania's Rimantas Kaukenas reacts after a foul as France's Ronny Turiaf, left, walks up court during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Photo: Associated Press

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France's Nicolas Batum, left, and Lithuania's Jonas Maciulis fight for a rebound during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

France's Nicolas Batum, left, and Lithuania's Jonas Maciulis fight for a rebound during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Photo: Associated Press

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Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (12) watches as teammate Mantas Kalnietis, right, looks for room around France's Ronny Turiaf, second left, and Tony Parker during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. less

Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (12) watches as teammate Mantas Kalnietis, right, looks for room around France's Ronny Turiaf, second left, and Tony Parker during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Lithuania's Darius Songaila chases after a loose ball against France's Ronny Turiaf during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Lithuania's Darius Songaila chases after a loose ball against France's Ronny Turiaf during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Photo: Associated Press

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France's Ronny Turiaf reacts to a team score during a preliminary men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

France's Ronny Turiaf reacts to a team score during a preliminary men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Photo: Associated Press

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Lithuania's Martynas Pocius (7) leaps to the basket as France's Mickael Gelabale (15) defends during a preliminary men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. less

Lithuania's Martynas Pocius (7) leaps to the basket as France's Mickael Gelabale (15) defends during a preliminary men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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France's Nicolas Batum, left, tries to steal as Lithuania's Simas Jasaitis takes the ball up court during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

France's Nicolas Batum, left, tries to steal as Lithuania's Simas Jasaitis takes the ball up court during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Photo: Associated Press

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Lithuanian forward Linas Kleiza (C) tries to score during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. France won 82-74. less

Lithuanian forward Linas Kleiza (C) tries to score during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in ... more

France's Nando de Colo (12) is fouled by Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas, right, during a preliminary men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

France's Nando de Colo (12) is fouled by Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas, right, during a preliminary men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Photo: Associated Press

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Lithuania forward Darius Songaila, left, drives to the basket against France center Ronny Turiaf during their men's preliminary round basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. less

Lithuania forward Darius Songaila, left, drives to the basket against France center Ronny Turiaf during their men's preliminary round basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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France's Tony Parker drives to the basket against Lithuania during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

France's Tony Parker drives to the basket against Lithuania during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Photo: Associated Press

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France's Tony Parker looks up at the referee after being knocked to the court on a drive to the basket without a foul being called during a men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. less

France's Tony Parker looks up at the referee after being knocked to the court on a drive to the basket without a foul being called during a men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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France's Ronny Turiaf reacts to a team score during a preliminary men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

France's Ronny Turiaf reacts to a team score during a preliminary men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Photo: Associated Press

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Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (12) fights for possession with France's Ronny Turiaf, left, and Mickael Gelabale (15) during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. less

Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (12) fights for possession with France's Ronny Turiaf, left, and Mickael Gelabale (15) during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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France's Tony Parker signals to his bench after hitting a three pointer in front of them during the second half against Lithuania during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. less

France's Tony Parker signals to his bench after hitting a three pointer in front of them during the second half against Lithuania during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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France's Nicolas Batum (5) pats teammate France's Tony Parker (9) on the head during a preliminary men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. less

France's Nicolas Batum (5) pats teammate France's Tony Parker (9) on the head during a preliminary men's basketball game against Lithuania at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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France's Tony Parker raises his arms after beating Lithuania during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

France's Tony Parker raises his arms after beating Lithuania during a men's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London.

Photo: Associated Press

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Linas Kleiza #11 of Lithuania shoots against Boris Diaw #13 of France during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Linas Kleiza #11 of Lithuania shoots against Boris Diaw #13 of France during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Tony Parker #9 of France shakes hands with Martynas Pocius #7 of Lithuania after winning 82-74 during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Tony Parker #9 of France shakes hands with Martynas Pocius #7 of Lithuania after winning 82-74 during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Tony Parker #9 of France reacts after shooing a three-point shot against Lithuania during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Tony Parker #9 of France reacts after shooing a three-point shot against Lithuania during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Ronny Turiaf #14 of France celebrates after defeating Lithuania 82-74 during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Ronny Turiaf #14 of France celebrates after defeating Lithuania 82-74 during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Jonas Maciulis #6 of Lithuania drives against Nicolas Batum #5 of France during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Jonas Maciulis #6 of Lithuania drives against Nicolas Batum #5 of France during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Tony Parker #9 of France loses control of the ball as he collides with Darius Songaila #9 of Lithuania during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Tony Parker #9 of France loses control of the ball as he collides with Darius Songaila #9 of Lithuania during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Tony Parker #9 of France drives against Simas Jasaitis #10 of Lithuania as teammate Nicolas Batum #5 of France looks on during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Tony Parker #9 of France drives against Simas Jasaitis #10 of Lithuania as teammate Nicolas Batum #5 of France looks on during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Tony Parker #9 of France and teammate Kevin Seraphin #4 talk as Antanas Kavaliauskas #12 of Lithuania looks on during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Tony Parker #9 of France and teammate Kevin Seraphin #4 talk as Antanas Kavaliauskas #12 of Lithuania looks on during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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France's Kevin Seraphin (C) fights for the ball with Lithuania's Simas Jasaitis (L) and Darius Songaila (2nd R) during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

France's Kevin Seraphin (C) fights for the ball with Lithuania's Simas Jasaitis (L) and Darius Songaila (2nd R) during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match on Day 6 of the London 2012 ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (C) tries to score past France's Ronny Turiaf (L) and Mickael Gelabale (15) during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (C) tries to score past France's Ronny Turiaf (L) and Mickael Gelabale (15) during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (L) and Mantas Kalnietis (R) play against France's Ronny Turiaf (2nd L) and Tony Parker during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (L) and Mantas Kalnietis (R) play against France's Ronny Turiaf (2nd L) and Tony Parker during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match on Day 6 of the London ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Lithuania's Martynas Pocius (R) is defended by France's Kevin Seraphin (L) as he drives to score during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Lithuania's Martynas Pocius (R) is defended by France's Kevin Seraphin (L) as he drives to score during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Vincent Collet head coach of team France communicates in the game against Lithuania during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Vincent Collet head coach of team France communicates in the game against Lithuania during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Boris Diaw of France (R) shoots overLinas Kleiza #11 of Lithuania during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England. less

Boris Diaw of France (R) shoots overLinas Kleiza #11 of Lithuania during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Basketball Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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French players celebrate at the end of the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. France won 82-74. less

French players celebrate at the end of the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. France won ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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French coach Vincent Collet (L) and French guard Tony Parker look on during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. France won 82-74. less

French coach Vincent Collet (L) and French guard Tony Parker look on during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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French guard Tony Parker speaks with French forward Mickael Gelabale during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. France won 82-74. less

French guard Tony Parker speaks with French forward Mickael Gelabale during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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French guard Tony Parker falls during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. France won 82-74. less

French guard Tony Parker falls during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. France won ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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French guard Nando De Colo (L) vies with Lithuanian centre Antanas Kavaliauskas during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. France won 82-74. less

French guard Nando De Colo (L) vies with Lithuanian centre Antanas Kavaliauskas during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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French forward Boris Diaw vies with Lithuanian forward Simas Jasaitis (R) during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at the basketball arena in London. France won 82-74. less

French forward Boris Diaw vies with Lithuanian forward Simas Jasaitis (R) during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match France vs Lithuania of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 at ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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France's Kevin Seraphin (C) fights for the ball with Lithuania's Simas Jasaitis (L) and Darius Songaila (2nd R) during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match at the Basketball Arena during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 2, 2012. less

France's Kevin Seraphin (C) fights for the ball with Lithuania's Simas Jasaitis (L) and Darius Songaila (2nd R) during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match at the Basketball Arena during the ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (C) tries to score past France's Ronny Turiaf (L) and Mickael Gelabale (15) during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match at the Basketball Arena during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 2, 2012. less

Lithuania's Antanas Kavaliauskas (C) tries to score past France's Ronny Turiaf (L) and Mickael Gelabale (15) during their men's preliminary round Group A basketball match at the Basketball Arena during the ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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Parker shows what he has become

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LONDON — Lithuania beat the United States in the 2004 Olympics, and a rugged guard named Sarunas Jasikevicius was a reason.

Afterward, in the press conference, a European writer asked Larry Brown if Jasikevicius was the best point guard in the world.

Brown wasn’t diplomatic. He didn’t praise Jasikevicius and then try to frame his answer.

Brown simply said: “Oh, no.”

Tony Parker, with the kind of game for France Thursday he showed so often last season for the Spurs, made a case for himself.

Against Jasikevicius.

Jasikevicius has American roots. He went to high school in Pennsylvania, and he played at the University of Maryland. But he became a star in European basketball, and the 2000 Olympics showcased that. He scored 27 points in Sydney against the Americans, and only when his last-second three missed did the U.S. escape.

The Spurs noticed. They tried to sign Jasikevicius in 2003, but the lack of a buy-out clause in his contract prevented it. They likely would have signed him in 2004 had they not used a first-round draft choice on another European point guard, Beno Udrih.

A moment in Athens summarized what the Spurs liked. Down by three points late in pool play, Jasikevicius pump-faked Lamar Odom, then drew the foul, then threw in the three for a four-point play.

He glared at Odom as if to say: What a stupid move.

Jasikevicius made it to to the NBA a few years later, with stops in Indianapolis and Golden State. But he fits better in Europe, where his strong personality can control a team.

Had he arrived in San Antonio in 2003, there’s no telling what his effect on Parker might have been.

Now Parker has grown up, and Jasikevicius has grown old. He’s 36, and at these Olympics he became the only Lithuanian men’s basketball player to play in four consecutive Olympics.

So what happened Thursday shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was telling of what has changed.

Then Jasikevicius scored two points, and Parker scored seven of France’s last eight points on his way to 27.

Had Brown been here, and had he been asked if there was any chance Parker could be the best point guard in the world, he at least would have had to hesitate.